When he had finished washing their feet…

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them.

This week we read about Jesus washing the other disciples feet. There are a few very interesting implications and theological points from this passage. As Christians we can learn a lot from Jesus’ actions, as we often fall into some of the same patterns of thinking that the disciples did. 

For starters, it is necessary to give some background on the significance of the foot washing. Here is an insert from Got Questions explaining why foot washing was done: 

Walking in sandals on the roads of Palestine in the first century made it imperative that feet be washed before a communal meal. People ate reclining at low tables, and feet were very much in evidence. When Jesus rose from the Last Supper and began to wash the feet of the disciples (John 13:4), He was doing the work of the lowliest of servants.

After Jesus performs this act of great humility he asks the disciples a question: Do you understand what I have done for you? Jesus helps the disciples understand this later on, but the question was intentional. He was making them think about what he had just done. The disciples, who argue about who is the greatest among them earlier on, just witnessed Jesus humble himself and wash their feet for them. 

He continues on “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and rightly so, for that is what I am.” Here we see Jesus claim to be God, which he uses to further drive his point home. He is emphasizing the fact that he is God to the disciples, and God serves others in humility. On a side note, it is also reinforcing the idea of the trinity, the idea that God exists in one being but three persons- the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Some people do not believe that Jesus claimed to be God or that he was “a god” but here we clearly see Jesus claim to be God, the one and only God. 

Jesus finishes saying “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is the messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” There are a few things to unpack in these verses. Jesus explicitly says that what he did was an example of what followers of him are to do. Our very master and Lord humbled himself to serve the disciples, and we are to do the same for each other. He references that no servant is greater than his master and no messenger is greater than the one who sent him. Logically, that makes a lot of sense, but do our actions reflect that statement? Jesus, our master, humbly served others. When we neglect humbly serving others, we are essentially saying that we are greater than Jesus and do not have to follow his example. However, we know this is not the case. While we might not be washing each other’s feet, we are to have an attitude of servitude. 

On top of this, Jesus’ act of washing the disciples feet foreshadowed his ultimate act of humility and love on the cross. As Matthew 20:28 states, he came “not to be served but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many.” We do not deserve to be served, since we are all sinful and fall short of the glory of God. However, God still chose to come to earth and live the life we could not live so he could save us. It is imperative that we reflect on that reality, as it will sanctify us, and hopefully change our attitude towards servitude. 

-Noah